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Post by DumDave on Oct 7, 2004 9:14:38 GMT -6
These subjects seem to be the most common posts on this forum. I like it. It is a bit of a niche, but it is one where several of us can exchange information on Streator history. Midwest Railroad history & at the same time, have pictures & information from Butch to see what we are talking about. I think it is neat. -Dave
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Post by History Major on Oct 7, 2004 12:29:03 GMT -6
I also like the history / railroad slant that this forum enjoys. Streator and the surrounding area has a very rich history that should never be forgotten. I'm glad that this forum keeps it alive.
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Post by John on Oct 20, 2004 18:58:08 GMT -6
Here is an interesting bit of Streator railroad history. This is from the August 27, 1952 edition of the Streator Daily Times Press.
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Post by DumDave on Oct 22, 2004 14:22:18 GMT -6
How did they get the coal to the top of the coaling station? I did not see an auger. -Dave
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Post by John on Oct 23, 2004 6:38:23 GMT -6
Dave, the coal was raised by an electric elevator and was delivered to locomotives via chutes.
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Post by DumDave on Oct 23, 2004 13:55:34 GMT -6
What a shame to tear it down. It doesn't look like it was that old. -Dave
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Post by John on Oct 23, 2004 17:09:29 GMT -6
Dave, it wasn't necessarily the age of the structure, but its usefulness(or lack thereof) that brought it down. What use would a coaling tower serve a railroad that has become dieselized?
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Post by John on Oct 23, 2004 21:55:05 GMT -6
This is all that is left of the old Burlington roadbed that passed underneath the New York Central Line (now the Norfolk Southern) just north of Spring Lake. You can see part of the old trestle where the Burlington crossed the creek just behind the fencepost and continued underneath the New York Central bridge. The bridge that you see in the background is the current Norfolk Southern Line that runs to Hennepin.
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Post by The Alton Route on Oct 23, 2004 22:59:43 GMT -6
I wouldn't doubt that the structure was built during WW II to serve wartime demand. Nowadays, the only place near the U.S. that still uses American steam is, I think, Cuba. Steam engines are still used on the sugar plantations. Just one of the many benefits of communism - great antique trains and 1950s automobiles. Dave, it wasn't necessarily the age of the structure, but its usefulness(or lack thereof) that brought it down. What use would a coaling tower serve a railroad that has become dieselized?
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Post by John on Oct 28, 2004 18:27:25 GMT -6
Here is the same coaling tower taken from the back of a passing train. I believe this photo was taken in 1951. Photo courtesy of History Major.
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Post by DumDave on Nov 17, 2004 14:38:00 GMT -6
Alton Steam locomotives are still dominate in China. They have a lot of coal reserves. People (Americans) actually go on planned railfan trips to China to ride these trains & check out all of the related facilitys.
They are starting to deselize. I would say that China's rail system is about where America's was in the 1930's. -Dave
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Post by John on Nov 19, 2004 22:16:56 GMT -6
Illinois RailNet has acquired two rail lines consisting of nearly 25 miles of track from The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) in Northern Illinois. The two rail lines acquired by Illinois RailNet are between Oregon, Ill. and Mt. Morris, Ill. and between Zearing, Ill. and La Salle, Ill. Illinois RailNet took control of operations on both lines, October 9, 2004. This additional Illinois RailNet trackage will serve customers in the towns of Oregon, Mt. Morris, Ladd, La Salle, Spring Valley and Peru, Ill.
Too bad the Burlington's Streator to LaSalle line wasn't still in place.
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Post by DumDave on Nov 28, 2004 2:29:31 GMT -6
Okay. I have two pieces of trivia that I found in my latest TRAINS magazine. 1) They gave a monatary adward to SMU to their Degolyer Library for a picture collection taken by Richard Stienhiemmer (SP.) He is still alive & most of his collection is of western railroads The connectionn is that by daughter is on a work/study program @ the Library. BTW She did not have a clue to the collection I mentioned. 2) I read a story of a guy who got out of the Army in 1949 & was able to get a job @ Lima Locomotive Works (Lima. Ohio.) in their photography Dept. His boss & friend was a guy by the name of "Bud" Jardine. This guy baby sat their kids. One , Nick, became a lawyer & the other started a band called the "BEACH BOYS" Yup Al Jardine. -Dave
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Post by History Major on Nov 30, 2004 14:30:25 GMT -6
On Oct. 13,1939, the C.B.& Q. installed electric warning lights at its Broadway St crossing. These replaced the oil lanterns which had protected the crossing for many years. They cited safety of their train crews as well as cars crossing the tracks for the change.
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Post by DumDave on Dec 6, 2004 10:17:18 GMT -6
On Oct. 13,1939, the C.B.& Q. installed electric warning lights at its Broadway St crossing. These replaced the oil lanterns which had protected the crossing for many years. They cited safety of their train crews as well as cars crossing the tracks for the change. Before that, most railroads hired crossing guards to flag traffic when the trains crossed a street. They stayed in a small guard house when not flagging traffic. At its peak, (aprx. 1920) the railroad industry employed aprx. 250 thousand people. Today, both major western railroads are hiring locomotive engineers as well as others due to an increase in traffic & increased retirements. (Specifically Union Pacific). -Dave
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